World

Blackwater Founder Builds Secret Army for UAE

Staff / Truthdig May 15, 2011 Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater (now Xe Services), the world’s most notorious private military contractor, is discreetly training an 800-man army capable of defending infrastructure, suppressing rebellions and battling regional state enemies for the UAE. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Palestinians Offer First-Ever Corporate Bonds

Staff / Truthdig May 13, 2011 Following a possible 10-day freeze on revenue collected on Palestinian goods that pass through Israel’s ports and airports, a Palestinian investment firm has issued the territory’s first-ever corporate bonds, which Palestinian leaders and businesses hope will strengthen the local economy. Above, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ahmadinejad May Be a Quitter

Staff / Truthdig May 9, 2011 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad considers resigning his post as president of Iran; Google Maps will let users inside buildings; and Bill Gates dips his mouse into American education. These discoveries and more after the jump. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

16 Killed in Iraq Prison Revolt

Staff / Truthdig May 8, 2011 A rebellion that caused the deaths of six guards and 10 inmates at a prison in Baghdad was sparked when a detainee accused of leading a deadly attack against a Christian church seized an officer's pistol early Sunday morning. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Violence Threatens Egypt’s Post-Revolution Efforts

Staff / Truthdig May 8, 2011 Egypt's transitional government has called an emergency meeting after violence believed to be sectarian broke out in a neighborhood near Cairo and left 10 people dead, hundreds injured and a church destroyed by fire. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Brazil High Court Legalizes Same-Sex Unions

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2011 In a decision that will not please the Roman Catholic Church, Brazil's Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples deserve the same legal rights that married heterosexuals receive. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

EU to Place Sanctions on Syria

Staff / Truthdig May 7, 2011 The European Union agreed to impose sanctions on Syria next week in response to the Assad regime's latest violent crackdowns, which have killed as many as 16 protesters. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Libyan Rebels to Receive Financial Aid

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2011 Members of the international community say Libyan rebels in Benghazi will receive some portion of the $2 billion to $3 billion they have requested to pay for the labor, food, medicine and other supplies needed to maintain a resistance to Col. Gadhafi's forces over the coming months. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel, U.S. Maneuver After Palestinians Get Together

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2011 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has condemned the recent reunification of Palestinian leadership, met Thursday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to forestall attempts by Palestinians to win national recognition in the U.N. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Deal Inches Palestinians Closer to Internationally Recognized Statehood

Staff / Truthdig May 5, 2011 Aimed at what most Palestinians hope will be peaceful unity between rival groups, an agreement was reached by Fatah and Hamas in Cairo on Wednesday. And that did not please Israel. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

International Criminal Court to Pursue Arrest of Gadhafi

Staff / Truthdig May 5, 2011 The International Criminal Court is preparing the official ground for the arrest of Moammar Gadhafi and two other high-ranking Libyan leaders later this month on charges of war crimes against peaceful protesters, including the deaths of thousands since demonstrations began in mid-February. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Libyan Rebels Going Broke

Staff / Truthdig May 4, 2011 The opposition government in Libya is running out of money to pay workers and provide basic necessities to civilians, and is now seeking $3 billion in international loans. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )